Where is Mount Patterson?
Usa, north-america
25.7 km
3,560 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, California dreamers, listen up! Wanna bag some seriously epic views? Then point your 4x4 toward Mount Patterson in Mono County. This bad boy tops out at a whopping 11,679 feet, making it one of the highest drives you can do in the Golden State.
Tucked away in the Toiyabe National Forest near the Nevada border, this area’s got that old West vibe, with abandoned mines scattered about, relics from the 1880s. The 360-degree panoramas from the summit? Unbelievable!
Heads up, though: this ain’t your grandma's Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved and seriously rugged. You’ll definitely need a 4WD beast to tackle this one, especially since it’s an old mining road leading to the historic Montague Mine Cabin.
The window to drive it is pretty tight—usually July to October, weather permitting. Snow's a big factor, so opening and closing dates are at the mercy of Mother Nature. And fair warning: the wind up there is no joke. It howls year-round, and the higher you climb, the more exposed you'll be.
From US395, it's about 16 miles to the summit, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation. That means some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting a max of 18%! Average grade is around 6%, so prepare for a workout, both for your rig and your nerves. White Mountain Road (Mount Patterson access road) has taxed the nerves of more than a few drivers in California. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 25.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,560 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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